good factory wadcutter ammo-38 special

[Richard Simmons]

Originally posted by SW CQB 45:


Richard, I dont have any time behind S/B or Fiocohi. is this stuff quality and/or goes bang everytime???

thanks for the links

I've used both Fiocchi and S&B in my Keltec P32 and currently carry the S&B 73gr FMJ load in that firearm as does my wife in hers. We've had no issues with either brand.

Had some S&B .357 158gr FMJ on order from an online vendor but canceled the order after months as the backorder just kept getting pushed out further and further otherwise I'd have some experience with that load.

You might find a box or two locally and give it a try before you order any large amount and see how you and your particular firearm like it.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[Wayne Dobbs]

I have watched over half a million rounds of S&B 9mm ball go downrange with no problems, but I don't know what their .38 Special ammo is like from an accuracy standpoint. I may try a couple of boxes to see what kind of product they have.

 

[Spotteddog]

Can't speak for S&B .38 Special other than 158 FMJ (warm/good shooter) and 148 lead full wads (about 85%-90% of Federals Golds). Good luck to both you gentlemen!

 

[RWJ]

Have fired many a round of Federal Wadcutter over the years - unfortunately, the blue/silver box is not as good as the older red box, at least out of my guns. The new stuff is PRICEY. try Precision new mfgr as an alternative - it seem s to work for Phil......

http://www.precisiondelta.com/

 

[flop-shank]

I have not tried Mastercast's reloads, but I'll bet they might make an economical range load if that interests you. At the same time, I doubt such an animal will be suited for serious competition.

 

[Gatofeo]

I've not had good luck with Sellier & Bellot 148 gr. wadcutters in my S&W Model 10.
Groups at 25 yards from a benchrest run about 5 inches. However, Remington 148 gr. wadcutters run about 2-1/2 inches.
Oddly enough, the most accurate stuff I've found in my early 1960s, 4-inch gun is some old CCI Blazer with lead roundnosed bullets in aluminum cases.
Sheesh, that stuff clusters into 1-1/2 to 2 inches all day long, for six shots. I'm down to the last 8 rounds in the box, which I'm saving to chronograph.
Round-nosed bullets can be mighty accurate but wadcutters punch out a clean hole and can give you a scoring advantage if there's a question whether the roundnosed bullet actually touched the next-closest ring.
Here in the Salt Lake City, Utah area it's been tough to find .38 wadcutters. Everyone's gravitated toward semiwadcutters for practice.
I haven't seen the Federal Gold Medal ammo around here for a few years. Guess I'll have to order some.
But yikes, wadcutter ammo is expensive! I paid $27 for a box of 50 Remingtons! Though I reload, I wanted to see what the old Model 10 would do with factory ammo.
Good luck on your competition!

 

[SW CQB 45]

Originally posted by Gatofeo:
Oddly enough, the most accurate stuff I've found in my early 1960s, 4-inch gun is some old CCI Blazer with lead roundnosed bullets in aluminum cases.
Sheesh, that stuff clusters into 1-1/2 to 2 inches all day long, for six shots. I'm down to the last 8 rounds in the box, which I'm saving to chronograph.

Hello Gato,

thanks for the good luck.

Does CCI still make the Blazer lead.

I called Precision Delta two weeks ago to send me an updated price list and what they had in stock on 38 special and have not heard from them.

I emailed them on friday asking again, but according to their website they were out a bunch of 38 loads.

I also emailed the coordinator of the police games asking about ammo (reloads or factory) because in 2008, there was plenty of reloads being shot but the rules stated factory ammo.

if reloads are allowed, I have a 231 148 wadcutter recipe that shoots nice for the duty revolver match!

thanks in advance

 

[Gatofeo]

CCI still makes aluminum-cased .38 Special ammo with a lead roundnose.
Here are the ballistics from its website:
38 Special
Part No. 3522
158 gr.
Lead roundnose
4-inch test barrel
755 fps

Now, I don't know if the new stuff is as accurate as the old box of it I had. That box probably dates to the late 80s or early 90s but it's been stored in a spare room, without being exposed to temperature extremes or high humidity.
Such storage will keep ammunition stable for decades.
Hmmmmm ... might just have to order a box or two of the new stuff and try it.
Darn you! Just by talking with ya, you're costing me future money! You sure you ain't female? <glare>

 

[SW CQB 45]

Originally posted by Gatofeo:
Darn you! Just by talking with ya, you're costing me future money! You sure you ain't female? <glare>

I am 6'03" 275lbs and called "mam" all the time. Not sure why. Maybe because I dressed up for Halloween in the late 80's as a woman (I was 230lbs back then) and won a Halloween contest and won 6 months rent free at the Apt complex I was living at! Maybe it stuck with me!

 

[Wayne Dobbs]

Mike,

You mentioned something I've seen at every Police Games that I've competed in and that is that the rules say factory ammo, but lots of reloads are being fired. Hopefully, given the difficulty finding ammo for sale these days, they will officially allow what's been going on all these years with regard to reloaded ammo.

Hey, what's your 231 load with wadcutters?

 

[SW CQB 45]

Originally posted by Wayne Dobbs:
Mike,

You mentioned something I've seen at every Police Games that I've competed in and that is that the rules say factory ammo, but lots of reloads are being fired. Hopefully, given the difficulty finding ammo for sale these days, they will officially allow what's been going on all these years with regard to reloaded ammo.

Hey, what's your 231 load with wadcutters?

I sent them an email on the use of reloads and I am patiently waiting

I shot this group with my $125 SW M65 4" with a group I shoot with. the match is basically duty revolver with no barricades. 3-25 yds.

I loaded 3.0 grains of 231 (very light load) behind a 148 wadcutter I traded for here on the forum.

I had a couple of flyers but managed to get 495 out of 500 with fixed rear and orange painted front sight.

 

[Gatofeo]

Sheesh ... you should lubricate those bullets with Pepto-Bismol! That target's got one serious tummy-ache! Nice shooting!

 

[SW CQB 45]

thanks Gato.

I am going to increase a few tenths this season and see what happens. very soft shooting at 3.0 grains. not used to that, but very easy on the gun and me.

which reminds me I need to start my dry fire drills. gonna irratate the wife.